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Record Numbers of Women to Run for Office in 2018

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A new flood of women — many of them Democrats — are raising their hands to run for office in 2018, signaling a potential reprise of a “Year of the Woman” that could make 1992’s election of two dozen new women to the U.S. House pale in comparison.

They’re on track to break almost every record on the books. As of last week, 325 women were non-incumbent candidates for the United States House, along with 72 female members seeking reelection, according to data compiled by Walsh’s organization.

Thirty-eight women not currently serving in the United States Senate are aiming for the upper chamber, along with 12 incumbents running again. And 75 women have set their sights on the nation’s governorships — plus four female incumbents fighting to keep their seats.

In 1992, commentators declared the midterm elections “The Year of the Woman” when a record two dozen women won election to the House for the first time and the three women newly elected to the Senate tripled the number of female lawmakers in the upper chamber.



Photo Credit: Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Suspect in Student's Death Belonged to Nazi Group: Report

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A 20-year-old Newport Beach man who was charged with the stabbing death of a University of Pennsylvania student from Lake Forest belonged to a neo-Nazi group, according to a published report Saturday.

Samuel Lincoln Woodward is accused of killing 19-year-old Blaze Bernstein, who was last seen by Woodward late the night of Jan. 2 and was found dead one week later in a shallow grave at Borrego Park.

Woodward remains jailed without bail until his arraignment on the murder charge, scheduled for Feb. 2. The charge against him includes a sentencing enhancement allegation that he used a knife in the killing.

According to ProPublica, a nonprofit investigative news site, three people who knew Woodward told the website he was part of the Atomwaffen Division, an armed fascist organization that aims to overthrow the government through guerrilla tactics and terrorism.

Atomwaffen Division has been linked to four other murders and a bomb plot over the past eight months, according to ProPublica.

Jeanne Pepper Bernstein, Blaze's mother, previously told the Los Angeles Times she was afraid her son would become a target.

"I'm concerned about the fact that he is Jewish," she told the newspaper. "I'm concerned with the fact that he is gay or the fact that he is small."

Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas told reporters at a news conference after Woodward's arrest that he would not provide too many details of the case. But he said the investigation is continuing, and if warranted, the murder charge could be amended to include a special circumstance allegation that would open Woodward to a possible death sentence.

Woodward and Bernstein were classmates at the Orange County School of the Arts in Santa Ana and reconnected through the social media platform Snapchat.

According to Rackaukas, Woodward picked up Bernstein from his parents' Lake Forest home about 11 p.m. Jan. 2, and drove him to a shopping center on Portola Parkway in Foothill Ranch. Later, the two went to Borrego Park in Lake Forest, he said.

"The exact time and place of the murder is still under investigation," Rackauckas said.

The county's top prosecutor said Woodward is 6-feet-2 and weighed 185 pounds and Bernstein was 5-feet-8 and weighed 135 pounds. After stabbing Bernstein multiple times, Woodward buried the body in a dirt perimeter of the park, Rackauckas alleged.

Bernstein's parents called authorities Jan. 3 to report their son missing, and his body was found Jan. 9.

Rackauckas declined to discuss a possible motive for the killing. A search warrant affidavit obtained by the Orange County Register suggested that Bernstein may have tried to kiss Woodward, who responded by killing him in an act of rage.

The district attorney declined to comment on the affidavit, which has since been sealed by a judge, but he did not rule out the possibility that the killing could eventually be classified as a hate crime.

"We're still looking at all the evidence," Rackauckas said. "We have a substantial amount of work to do on that, and it's going to take a little bit of time. Some of that is in the form of communications between the defendant ... and other people or the suspect and other people, so there might be a substantial amount of communication.

"So we have to look at all of that before we can make a decision like that," he said. "The question of a hate crime is one question that we have about the possibility of special circumstances, and so we're looking to see whether or not that might be supported."

Bernstein's parents -- Gideon and Jeanne -- issued a statement earlier this month noting the possibility the killing may have been a hate crime.

"Our son was a beautiful, gentle soul who we loved more than anything," the Bernsteins said. "We were proud of everything he did and who he was. He had nothing to hide. We are in solidarity with our son and the LGBTQ community. There is still much discovery to be done and if it is determined that this was a hate crime, we will cry not only for our son, but for LGBTQ people everywhere that live in fear or who have been victims of hate crime."

Following a court appearance earlier this month, Woodward's attorney, Ed Munoz, told reporters the killing was "a tragedy."

"My heart goes out to that family," he said. "But the Woodward family is also suffering."

Rackauckas said Woodward had cuts on his arms and dirt on his hands when he was interviewed by investigators, and he lied about how he got the wounds. He said surveillance video also showed Woodward trying to clean the car he was using when he picked up Bernstein. While he was under surveillance, Woodward was also seen returning to the scene of the killing days after the crime, although Rackauckas declined to say exactly when that occurred.

Without elaborating, he said investigators have DNA tying Woodward to the crime. The Orange County Register reported earlier that the evidence was Bernstein's blood on a sleeping bag Woodward had in his possession. The Register also reported that Bernstein had been stabbed more than 20 times.

Sheriff's officials said earlier that Woodward had driven Bernstein to the park the night of Jan. 2. According to the search warrant affidavit obtained by the Register, he told investigators that Bernstein wandered into the park and disappeared. Woodward said he eventually left the park at 1 a.m., telling investigators he drove to a girlfriend's house in Tustin, but returned about 3:40 a.m. when Bernstein still had not surfaced, according to the affidavit.

In subsequent interviews, however, Woodward was unable to remember the girlfriend's name or address, according to the affidavit. Woodward also had scratches and abrasions on his hands, which he attributed to a "fight club" in which he was involved, and dirt under his fingernails that he said was the result of falling into a mud puddle.



Photo Credit: Orange County Sheriff's Office

Ex-Terryville Fire Treasurer Faces Embezzlement Allegations

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The former treasurer and secretary of the Terryville Volunteer Fire Department has been suspended amid an investigation into embezzlement allegations.

The fire chief said a recent audit of the fire department’s finances revealed discrepancies in the funds that the department raised through private donations and fundraisers. 

That money is used for programs including fire prevention, uniforms and supporting local outreach programs, including Small Wonders and helping several local families at Christmastime, according to fire officials.

“We had been saving up for five years for new uniforms and the money is all gone now. We don’t have enough money to buy a T-shirt,” Terryville Fire Chief Mark Sekorski said.

Sekorski identified the former treasurer and secretary as John Wunsch and said he has been with the department for around 17 years. No charges have been filed.

NBC Connecticut called phone numbers listed for a John Wunsch and left messages, but there was no immediate response.

“We will rectify this situation and do everything in our power to regain the faith and trust of our community,” Sekorski said in a statement. “We also want to make it clear that no taxpayer money is involved in these allegations.”

“All the money allegedly taken was raised by volunteer members of the Department as well as by friends and supporters,” the statement from Sekorski says.

He said Plymouth police have been notified.



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Drunk Driver Arrested Driving Wrong Way on Highway: CSP

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State police have arrested a driver accused of driving drunk and traveling the wrong way on the highway early Sunday morning.

Police say they received two 911 calls about a vehicle driving the wrong way on I-691 around 4:23 a.m. When troopers located the vehicle near exit 27 on I-84 in Cheshire, it was traveling westbound in the left lane of the eastbound side of the highway.

The driver, identified as 19-year-old Carla Arza, was driving under the influence of alcohol. She was arrested and charged with operating under the influence of alcohol and driving the wrong way on a divided highway.

She was processed and released on a $1,000 non-surety bond and will appear in Meriden Superior Court on Feb. 13.

McCarthy: No Need for Legislation to Protect Mueller

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House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy on Sunday downplayed the need for legislation protecting Robert Mueller, the special counsel investigating Russia's role in the 2016 presidential election, and questioned the integrity of the Department of Justice during an interview on "Meet The Press."

"I don't think there's a need for legislation right now to protect Mueller," McCarthy told NBC News' Chuck Todd on "Meet The Press," adding, "Right now there is not an issue. So why create one when there isn't a place for it?"

The comments came following reports that President Donald Trump wanted to fire Mueller last summer. 

"I have confidence in Mueller," McCarthy said. "I have questions about others within the FBI and the [Department of Justice]."



Photo Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images, File
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Poll: Americans Want Government to 'Do More'

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A broad range of people say that they want their government to do more, not less, according to the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll.

The January poll found 58 percent of Americans agreed with the statement, "Government should do more to solve problems and help meet the needs of people," while only 38 percent agreed that "Government is doing too many things better left to businesses and individuals."

That 58 percent wanting to the government to "do more" is an all-time high on a question that has been asked in the poll on-and-off for more than 20 years and it reflects a larger change in the number.

Meanwhile, more than two-thirds of women in the poll said the government should "do more" along with majorities among all age groups measured, all races, ethnicities, and education levels and among independents voters. For the United States in 2018, that's an extraordinary amount of agreement.



Photo Credit: Al Drago-Pool/Getty Images, File

5 Tips to Make First-Time Tax Filing a Breeze

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The IRS will begin accepting tax returns on Jan. 29, and for young adults who are about to file tax returns for the first time, the prospect can be intimidating. But here are some basics to help you successfully navigate your first stab at filing a tax return, according to CNBC.

Check your mailbox for tax forms, many of which are due to taxpayers by Jan. 31. That includes a W-2 from your employer and/or a 1099-MISC from any company you worked for as a contractor. And don't overlook tax breaks. In addition to deductions for student-loan interest or the education credits, there are other deductions you can take that don't require you to itemize. For instance, teachers can deduct up to $250 in unreimbursed classroom expenses.

Remember that in addition to your federal tax return with the IRS, your state tax return is due at the same time. Tax laws vary from state to state, which means they could offer breaks not available on your federal return, Hammer said. Some states, like Florida, impose no state income tax.

Meanwhile, don't wait until the last minute to file, and do it by April 17. If you end up realizing that you can't get your tax return in by April 17, you can file for a six-month extension. However, this only delays the due date for the return — not for any amount due.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Willimantic Waste Paper Co., Inc. Fire

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Photo Credit: Photoflight Aerial Media

State Police Searching For Road Rage Suspect

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On January 28, 2018 at approximately 1:54 a.m., troopers from Troop H - Hartford responded to the I-84 eastbound exit 45 on-ramp (Flatbush Ave.) for a reported road rage incident with gunshots fired.
As troopers responded to the on-ramp and searched the area, they were notified that a male gunshot victim was being treated at Hartford Hospital for a non life-threatening gunshot injury to his leg.
The suspect vehicle, possibly a red Honda Accord, fled the scene at a high rate of speed.
Anyone who thinks they may have any information, may have witnessed the incident or may have seen the vehicles movements before or after the road rage incident and shooting is asked to please call Troop H at 860-534-1000 or text TIP711 with any information to 274637. All calls and texts will remain confidential.
Sent from Trooper First Class Kelly Grant #505

State police are searching for a driver involved in a road rage incident in Hartford early Sunday morning.

According to police, troopers responded to the Flatbush Avenue exit 45 oon-ramp to I-84 east around 1:54 a.m. for a reported road rage incident with shots fired.

While investigating, troopers were notified that a male gunshot victim was being treated at Hartford Hospital for a non live-threatening gunshot wound to his leg.

The suspect's vehicle, possibly a red Honda Accord, fled the scene at a high rate of speed.

State troopers are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident or with any information to call Troop H at 860-534-1000.




Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Willimantic Waste Company Fire Scene May be Active for Days

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Firefighters, police and Department of Energy and Environmental Protection crews all responded to a large fire at a waste and recycling company in Willimantic Sunday, and remained on scene for hours working to contain it.

Crews were called to the fire at a Willimantic Waste Paper Co., Inc. building at 1590 West Main Street around 10:13 a.m. Smoke could be seen billowing into the air. Town officials say the smoke plume goes on for miles. It was so heavy the smoke was appearing on weather radar.


Officials said no one was inside the building at the time of the fire and no injuries have been reported, though two people were taken to the hospital for evaluation after reporting lightheadedness and exhaustion.

Willimantic Waste Paper Co., Inc. is a family-owned waste and recycling company that services residential and commercial customers across Eastern Connecticut. The building is one of the largest facilities in town and is full of waste and recycling materials, making the fire difficult to contain. 

DEEP officials are on scene to monitor air quality. A DEEP spokesman said there was some concern about toxic gases in the smoke at the scene, but air quality levels in town are safe.

DEEP will also assess any runoff issues at the Willimantic River.

Officials said there are at least 12 fire departments and hundreds of firefighters on scene working to control the fire. 

Fire Chief Marc Scrivener said the smoke condition is the biggest challenge with the fire. Firefighters have been on scene for hours trying to control the fire.

“They’re working hard, they’re getting tired and we’re going to have to start rotating some of them off the scene for rest,” Scrivener said.

Firefighters are staying outside the building as they fight the fire, making the operation more difficult.

The amount of water needed to fight the flames is putting strain on the town's water system and officials are asking residents to help by conserving water. 

“We’re hunkering down for quite a long time here. I think we’re going to be on the scene here possibly for days,” Rivers said.

Residents are advised to avoid the area and stay inside to avoid the smoke.

Rivers said once the fire is under control, the town will then work with the company to create a plan for waste pickup and to assist them in getting back to normal operations. The company is one of the largest waste management companies in the state with hundreds of employees.

West Main Street (Route 32) and part of Route 66 are both closed in the area and will remain closed for the time being.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates. 



Photo Credit: Contributed

NY Teacher Takes Home Music Educator Award at Grammys

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An elementary school teacher in the Bronx took home an award at the 60th Grammy Awards Sunday night.

Melissa Salguero, a music teacher at P.S. 48 Joseph R. Drake school in Hunts Point, New York, earned the 2018 Music Educator Award in front of an arena full of celebrities at Madison Square Garden, according to GrammyintheSchools.com. She has taught at the school since 2010.

Salguero, who was a semifinalist for the award in 2017, beat out other music educators from California, Colorado, Maryland, Tennessee, Iowa, Pennsylvania and Washington.

According to Grammy.com, the award is presented by the Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Museum.

“The Music Educator Award was established to recognize current educators (kindergarten through college, public and private schools) who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools,” the website said.



Photo Credit: Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
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Police Receiving Reports of Loud Booms in Hamden

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Hamden police have been receiving reports of loud booms and shaking this morning.

Officials initially said they were looking into the possibility that it could have been caused by a train crushing a propane tank. Then, officials said the sound might have come from a metal processing plant crushing a propane tank. 

A viewer who lives on Country Hills Road reports hearing a loud sound and feeling the house shake. She said she went outside to investigate and did not see damage to the house. 

No additional information was immediately available.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Serious Injuries Reported in Berlin Crash

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One person has serious injuries after a crash in Berlin early Monday morning. 

Police said there was a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Route 372 (Mill Street) and Worthington Ridge at 12:30 a.m. 

One person sustained serious injuries. 

The MSARS Crash Reconstruction Team was called to the scene to assist with the investigation. 

Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call the Berlin Police Traffic Division at 860-828-7080.



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Virus That Acts Like Flu Needs Civilian Vaccine: Researcher

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A virus could be adding to the seasonal misery brought on by influenza, but it's not being identified, an infectious disease specialist told NBC News.

Adenovirus can cause severe flu-like symptoms, and the U.S. military already vaccinates recruits against two of its 52 strains.

But most people don't get the vaccine and aren't tested for it at doctor's offices, according to Adriana Kajon, the specialist at the Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute in Albuquerque.

"We are seeing severe adult infections," Kajon said. "That's a big deal, especially for a disease that by all means is vaccine preventable. But this vaccine is not licensed to be used in civilians." 



Photo Credit: CDC

Lawmakers to Hold News Conference on Tolls

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Lawmakers have discussed the concept of bringing tolls to Connecticut roadways and two lawmakers will be holding a news conference this morning about electronic tolls. 

State Rep. Tony Guerrera, the House chair of the Transportation Committee, State Rep. Chris Perone, the chief transportation financial officer for House Democrats, will be holding a news conference at 10 a.m. at the Legislative Office Building.




Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Coating of Snow Possible By Tuesday Morning

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After a mild weekend, there is a storm to our east and that could bring a coating of snow overnight. 

Some light snow and snow showers will develop this evening and fall, on and off, through Tuesday morning, which could impact the morning commute. 

Much of the state could get a coating while the Interstate 395 corridor could get an inch. 

The storm will produce plowable snow just to our east, on the Cape and Islands. We will monitor any changes as the storm develops today.

If the storm were to track a bit farther west we could end up with more snow overnight. 

A trend more out to sea would shift any chance of snow farther east. 

If schools are delayed, you can see the list here



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com
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Child Placed in Handcuffs After Allegedly Attacking Teacher

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A 7-year-old Miami boy was placed in handcuffs Friday afternoon after he allegedly attacked a teacher at Coral Way Elementary. His family is protesting how police handled the incident.

“We are still suffering. This is insane," the child's father Rolando Fuentes said. "This is something that really affects our family, our friends.” 

According to a report obtained by NBC 6, the 7-year-old was upset at a teacher who told him to stop playing with his food. The child attacked her by repeatedly punching her on her back. The report goes on to say that, once the teacher restrained the child from attacking her, the child continued to fight with his fists and legs, falling to the ground and then grabbing her hair.

“I know my kid did wrong, and he will be punished for what he did,” Fuentes said. “But what the police officer did afterward, this is out of hand. Unbelievable.”

“They said they would 'Baker Act' or arrest my boy. And I asked why does my kid have to be under arrest?” said the boy’s father.

"Baker Act" means to involuntarily commit for a mental health exam. The report says the father agreed that the student needed to go. Officials say when they put the child in handcuffs, they were following protocol.

The child's mother, Mercy Álvarez, told NBC's sister station Telemundo 51 that the arrest was "very unjust" and she was planning to defend her son however possible. 

She said that police were also called over the child's behavior in November. 

Her husband was told this time that their son had to be taken because he was a "danger to society - when he was only sitting calmly in a chair," she said. 

“There’s something wrong in this case,” Fuentes said. 

The teacher is planning to press charges, The Associated Press reported. 

--Maria-Juliana Rojas contributed to this story.

New Britain Mayor Stewart Exploring Run for Governor

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New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart is exploring a run for governor.

The 30-year-old Republican made her announcement live on Facebook Monday morning.

“Connecticut is in crisis mode and we need leaders who understand that we must change the way we do business,” Stewart said. “We need leaders who are able to bring together diverse perspectives and backgrounds to make difficult choices in order to get our state moving forward once again. We’ve become too fixated on the negatives.”

Stewart, who was elected mayor of New Britain in 2013, is serving her third term. On Monday, she said she has formed an exploratory committee to “test the waters for a potential run for governor.”

“Connecticut is in desperate need of a leader who can help restore pride in our state, turn the page, and create a new era of competitiveness, stability, and innovation,” Stewart said. “We cannot afford to waste yet another opportunity to take back our state and set it on a new and better course. Let’s do this.”

Gov. Dannel Malloy, a Democrat, has announced that he will not seek re-election in 2018 and several people have come forward and declared they are running or have formed an exploratory committee.



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Body of Missing Virginia 16-Year-Old Girl Found After Search

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A body found Friday morning in a park in Fairfax County, Virginia, has been identified as that of Jholie Moussa, the 16-year-old girl who went missing from her home in the county two weeks ago, officials say. 

The teenager's death is being investigated as a homicide. 

Multiple police departments and the FBI searched for Moussa, who was last seen leaving home under mysterious circumstances. 

Moussa left home in the Alexandria section of Fairfax County on Friday, Jan. 12 after telling her twin sister she was going to a party in Norfolk, nearly 200 miles away, her sister told News4. 

Her family reported her missing the next day, and the FBI joined the investigation four days later, on Jan. 17. 

The day Moussa disappeared, she seemed distracted after classes at Mount Vernon High School, her twin, Zhane Moussa, said. 

"She was doing my hair and then she stopped, for a good minute, to text some more. Then, out of nowhere, she was like, 'I gotta go, I gotta go!'" she said. 

Moussa told her sister she needed to go out for a minute.

After she left, Zhane Moussa sent her a concerned text and got an odd response. 

"She texted me that she was going to Norfolk," Zhane Moussa said. "And I'm, like, isn't that more than 3 hours away?"

Later that night, the girls' mother, Syreeta Steward, missed a call from her daughter. Then, she heard nothing. It wasn't like her. 

"Normally, she would have responded back to me. If she calls me and I don't answer, she always follows it up with a text," Steward said. 

They never heard from her again. 

The body that police believe is Moussa's was found 14 days later in a wooded area of Woodlawn Park, less than a mile from where she was last seen in the 4200 block of Sonia Court. An officer found the body, almost entirely covered by leaves, about 11 a.m. Friday. 

The preliminary identification of Moussa's body was based on her appearance, including a tattoo, police said. On her right shoulder, she had a tattoo of an infinity loop with her name and her twin's name. 

Fairfax County police had entered Moussa into the National Crime Information Center database as a runaway juvenile. 

"Based on the facts of the case, there is nothing that indicates that Moussa is in any danger," county police previously said in a statement. 

An FBI representative previously said there was not a specific reason why the agency joined the investigation, but they had available resources to help. 

Police previously said detectives spoke to about 20 people who had recent contact with Moussa. Many of her friends were not fully cooperating with investigators, police said. 

Anyone with information on the case was asked to call Fairfax County police at 703-691-2131, or the FBI at 202-278-2000. 



Photo Credit: Courtesy of family/NBC

School Expected to Resume Tuesday After Fire in Willimantic

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Crews will remain at Willimantic Waste Paper Co. to monitor the building for hot spots after a large fire Sunday, but officials said the fire is under control and schools are expected to reopen Tuesday.

Crews responded to 1590 West Main St. around 10:13 a.m. Sunday and town officials said the smoke plume goes went on for miles.

Due to concerns about road closures and smoke conditions, Windham Public Schools and Eastern Connecticut State University are closed on Monday, but officials said they expect schools will be open Tuesday.

As of Monday morning, smoke has decreased in the area and officials believe conditions will continue to improve.

Willimantic Waste Paper Co., Inc. is a family-owned waste and recycling company that services residential and commercial customers across Eastern Connecticut. The building is one of the largest facilities in town and is full of waste and recycling materials, making the fire difficult to contain.

DEEP officials responded to monitor air quality. A DEEP spokesman said there was some concern about toxic gases in the smoke at the scene, but air quality levels in town are safe. Anyone with pre-existing conditions or respiratory issues should stay inside.

The company is one of the largest waste management companies in the state with hundreds of employees.

Trash trucks are operating as usual Monday. They left at 5 a.m. and are using other facilities.

West Main Street (Route 32) was closed, but reopened this morning.





Photo Credit: Contributed
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